State regulators approve well pad near Battlement Mesa homes

State regulators have approved a proposal by Ursa Resources to drill 24 wells and a wastewater injection well near a Battlement Mesa mobile home park.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports the Ursa proposal is part of a two-pad, second phase of drilling it plans in Battlement Mesa, an unincorporated community of several thousand residents. The company already has finished drilling a two-pad, first phase involving 52 wells.

Opponents say the decision by Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission staff delivers a blow to communities trying to protect neighborhoods and schools from the impacts of oil and gas development.

The Colorado Supreme Court overturned an appeals court ruling that regulators must condition approvals of oil and gas development on ensuring protection of health, safety and environment.